Saturday, March 8, 2014

Looking for an Alternative to Goat Feed



I am looking for a goat feed formula to replace the commercial feed I've been using. They only get a small amount of it on the milking stand, but they really don't need to be eating even a small amount of GMO corn and soy. 

Do any of you goat people have your own recipe? I'm looking at oats, black oil sunflowers, and perhaps kelp. I'd like to come out around 16% protein.  

I found one recipe that has you add 12c of molasses to 100lb on a tarp. Let me be honest with you, I don't have time for that sticky mess each month. 

I've also started feeding Chaffhaye which already contains some molasses. The girls adore it and so far it seems to be more cost effective than the GMO questionable alfalfa pellets I had been feeding. 

What about a fodder system? Kris, you've done that before, right? 

Any ideas or suggestions are appreciated. Basically I need a cost effective, nutritious, non-GMO system that won't take me a ton of hours a week to implement. 

4 comments:

  1. Can you get Azure Standard where you live? I have bought their Big Sky organic alfalfa pellets for my guinea pigs. They cost more of course. But they aren't sprayed like all the rest are, and they are very sweet smelling and bright green. Before buying them I e-mailed Rogue Feed and Standlee, and they both are sprayed. Azure Standard does carry a Rogue Feed organic dairy and livestock blend for about $20 for 40 lbs. but I have never tried it. I was actually looking for a source of organic rolled grains to use for the guinea pigs but haven't been successful. So I just ordered their 9-grain rolled cereal. I figured it is pretty reasonable since I'm only feeding it to the piggies.
    Kimberly

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    1. Hi Kimberly, we don't have any of that available here. It's not easy to find affordable alfalfa down here in the deep south.

      I really need to come up with a more affordable system. I'm really not making any money on my milk at $10/gal when I have to spend $17 on a sack of feed.

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  2. I'm going to try growing fodder. I have to pen up my chickens again, I will post about that grrrr :( I'm not sure goats really love fodder but I've just seen videos on YouTube so I'm no expert. When you get a recipe, please share I would love to get away from GMO feed

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    1. I'm sorry to hear about your rotten neighbors and their rotten dog! What's wrong with people. I've lost a few to dogs before. How's your fodder going? Mine's not sprouted yet.

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